Convair F-106C/D

Last revised December 27, 2007

The F-106X (Model 8-28/8-29) was a 1956 design study for a Delta Dart follow-on. This study envisaged an interceptor
with a canard layout that was powered by a JT4B-22 turbojet fed by rectangular air
intakes. It was envisaged as an alternative to the Lockheed YF-12, and was to
have had a fire control system with "look-down, shoot-down" capability fed by a
40-inch radar dish. The F-106X project was extremely advanced for its time--some references
state that a Mach 5 performance was envisaged. However, this is probably vastly over-optimistic. Mach
3 is probably more like it--although still advanced for the time.

The project was later redesignated F-106C/D, with C being the single-seat version, the D being the two-seat version. At
one time the Air Force had considered acquiring 350 of these advanced interceptors, but the F-106C/D project was
cancelled on September 23, 1958.

While contemplating the cancellation of the Avro Arrow project, the Canadian government briefly
considered the possibility of purchasing the
F-106C/D. However, the USAF cancelled the F-106C/D before this idea could be pursued any
further. After the eventual cancellation of the Arrow program in February of 1959, the Canadian government
decided to acquire the CF-101 Voodoo instead.

Following the cancellation of the Model 8-28/29 project, two production F-106As (57-239 and 57-240) were
modified to test the new radar housing with a five-foot nose extension. They
were redesignated F-106C. Only 57-239 actually flew, and made ten flights
with this new nose in 1959. The plane was later destroyed in fatigue tests. 57-240
eventually reverted to standard F-106A configuration.

Sources:

United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and
Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

Fighters of the United States Air Force, Robert F. Dorr and
David Donald, Temple Press Aerospace, 1990.